Free psychiatric treatment in four more dists likely

DHANBAD: The state health department has sent a proposal to the central government to cover four backward districts in Santhal Pargana and North Chhotanagpur divisions under the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP).

Mentally ill patients have to go Ranchi Institute of Neuro Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS) even for minor psychiatric problems at present. But now outpatient and indoor treatment facilities are likely to be provided at district hospitals and patients would be provided free medicines.

Health department has proposed the names of the districts Godda, Giridih, Sahebgunj and Koderma.

The central government had launched NMHP under National Rural Health Mission in 2005. In 2011 central government selected four districts of Jharkhand namely East Singhbhum, Palamu, Gumla and Dumka for the mental health programme.

“It has been found that a large number of adult patients (around 20%) coming to general OPDs (in government hospitals) are mentally ill. These patients usually miss the basic treatment because either the medical offic- er of the primary health centre or general practitioner does not ask for detailed health history. As a result these patients have to undergo unnecessary investigations and treatment which not only complicates the case but also puts a financial burden on patients, said Dr LR Pathak, the state nodal officer of NMHP. “But under NMHP the patients would get specialised treatment free of cost,” he added.

According to the state nodal officer, after the launch of the programme in these remote districts, poor patients would get free treatment at the district hospital and this would reduce the pressure on RINPAS Ranchi.

“Under NMHP an ambulance will also be available at the district hospital for transporting patients referred to RINPAS if needed,” he said.

Under National Mental Health Programme, an ambulance will also be available at the district hospital for transporting patients referred to RINPAS if needed. DR LR PATHAK, state nodal officer of NMHP